]
art, which in those days (like the needlework of Miss Linwood in ours),
though no more than a mechanic craft, in some measure realized the effects
of a fine art by the perfect skill of its execution. All these modes of
luxury, with a policy that had the more merit as it thwarted his own
private inclinations, did Hadrian peremptorily abolish; perhaps, amongst
other more obvious purposes, seeking to intercept the earliest buddings of
those local attachments which are as injurious to the martial character
and the proper pursuits of men whose vocation obliges them to consider
themselves eternally under marching orders, as they are propitious to all
the best interests of society in connection with the feelings of civic
life.
We dwell upon this prince not without reason in this particular; for,
amongst the Caesars, Hadrian stands forward in high relief as a reformer of
the army. Well and truly might it be said of him--that, _post Caesarem
Octavianum labantem disciplinam, incurid superiorum principum, ipse
retinuit_. Not content with the cleansings and purgations we have
mentioned, he placed upon a new footing the whole tenure, duties, and
pledges, of military offices.
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